4 years ago
NDIS MINISTER MISSING IN ACTION AS SCHEME FALTERS
BILL SHORTEN MP
Today I travelled to the Gold Coast to do what the Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme would not – meet with one of his constituents to learn of the difficulties she is facing with the scheme.
Gold Coast mum Shannon Manning has a lot on her plate: a severely disabled 7-year-old, Meadow, who is in a wheelchair, non-verbal with severe autism, epilepsy, and is prone to violent physical attacks on people and property, and a little boy Madden, also battling disability issues. Shannon’s day starts at 3am and she is lucky if she gets four hours sleep a night. Like many parent-carers Shannon has injured her neck and spine due to lifting. Experts say she requires 24-7 support for 12 months for her own injuries to heal so she does not end up in a wheelchair herself, building modifications, a hoist or lift to get 45kg Meadow into the car, and respite once a week so she can maintain her struggle for her children without burning out. Despite her pleas, and expert reports, she has met nothing but rejection from the NDIS. She has been told her daughter is ‘not disabled enough’ and that a hoist would actually be for her, mum Shannon, and therefore could not be part of daughter Meadow’s plan. She has also been refused a new wheelchair for her daughter. She fears she is being pushed into ‘relinquishing’ her daughter to state care.
“I just want to keep them safe and give them every opportunity they can have within the adversity of their afflictions,” Shannon said of her children.
Shannon’s experience – facing delays, knockbacks and a never-ending paperchase - is unfortunately not unique.
The following figures show frustrated participants in the NDIS are increasingly going to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal to seek an umpire’s intervention in their treatment under the scheme.
Gold Coast mum Shannon Manning has a lot on her plate: a severely disabled 7-year-old, Meadow, who is in a wheelchair, non-verbal with severe autism, epilepsy, and is prone to violent physical attacks on people and property, and a little boy Madden, also battling disability issues. Shannon’s day starts at 3am and she is lucky if she gets four hours sleep a night. Like many parent-carers Shannon has injured her neck and spine due to lifting. Experts say she requires 24-7 support for 12 months for her own injuries to heal so she does not end up in a wheelchair herself, building modifications, a hoist or lift to get 45kg Meadow into the car, and respite once a week so she can maintain her struggle for her children without burning out. Despite her pleas, and expert reports, she has met nothing but rejection from the NDIS. She has been told her daughter is ‘not disabled enough’ and that a hoist would actually be for her, mum Shannon, and therefore could not be part of daughter Meadow’s plan. She has also been refused a new wheelchair for her daughter. She fears she is being pushed into ‘relinquishing’ her daughter to state care.
“I just want to keep them safe and give them every opportunity they can have within the adversity of their afflictions,” Shannon said of her children.
Shannon’s experience – facing delays, knockbacks and a never-ending paperchase - is unfortunately not unique.
The following figures show frustrated participants in the NDIS are increasingly going to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal to seek an umpire’s intervention in their treatment under the scheme.
Financial Year | NDIS lodgements –
plans for participants | Total NDIS lodgements
2018-19
to 31 May | 664 | 1,075
2017-18 | 463 | 802
2016-17 | 164 | 215
2015-16 | 37 | 48
2014-15 | 12 | 18
2013-14 | 9 | 19
plans for participants | Total NDIS lodgements
2018-19
to 31 May | 664 | 1,075
2017-18 | 463 | 802
2016-17 | 164 | 215
2015-16 | 37 | 48
2014-15 | 12 | 18
2013-14 | 9 | 19
Participants in this scheme are facing real problems accessing assisted technology and services.
The Morrison Government has ripped $1.6b out of the NDIS, it has failed to address the executive exodus from the NDIA and it has not installed a CEO despite the Agency being leaderless for more than 100 days.
Shannon invited her local MP, the Member for Fadden and NDIS Minister, to sit in on a meeting about her girl’s needs. That was weeks ago and he has still not personally contacted her.
The dysfunction and red tape nightmare engulfing the NDIS will only be solved by leadership.
But not only is Stuart Robert missing from his portfolio he’s even missing from the needs of those in his electorate.